Pregnancy

Pregnancy Complications

Complications during pregnancy are quite common. Even for the woman who is healthy and has had children already, pregnancy complications could arise. When you become pregnant, the first thing you have to do is consult your obstetrician or gynecologist. She will perform an ultrasound to make sure there are no complications to your pregnancy. Regular visits to your gynecologist help prevent early pregnancy complications and can even identify them at an early stage.

Ectopic Pregnancies: Ectopic pregnancies are the most common early pregnancy complications. In these pregnancies, the egg fertilizes outside the womb and the fetus starts developing in an ovary or fallopian tube. It is very dangerous for both fetus and mother. If surgery is not performed at the right time, the tubes may burst and cause internal bleeding, and sometimes even death.

Miscarriages: Complications during pregnancy may also lead to miscarriages. Sometimes the cervix may open, causing heavy bleeding along with intense cramping pains. The baby may even die in early pregnancy. When this happens, the pregnant woman can either wait for a miscarriage to occur or have a D&C. There are many causes of this: blood clotting, structural problems, infection, or lifestyle habits, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or high caffeine intake.

Pregnancy over 35: A woman’s fertility may be affected after the age of 30. The probability of your child having birth defects is significantly higher, and miscarriages are also more common in the first trimester. For the woman over 35, there is also a higher risk of diabetes and high blood pressure. With the current medical technologies, most of these complications can be treated if they are spotted early on.

Multiple Pregnancies: When there is more than one fetus, there is a higher chance of developing complications, like extremely low birth weights and underdeveloped organs. It is important to regularly consult your doctor to avoid further risks.